Modular building section

ABSTRACT

A wall structure comprising a plurality of like, flat, vertical panel-like sections in side by side relationship, said sections having interengaged rebated vertical sides and horizontal top and bottom channeled edges, elongate horizontal header and sole plates engaged in and continuing through said channeled edges and right angularly related pins engaged in and between the interengaged rebated side of adjacent sections on horizontal axes normal and parallel with the vertical plane of the wall structure.

Mason Mar. 26, 1974 MODULAR BUILDING SECTION FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS [76] lmenwrl Wylie Masml c/O Mod"! 2i1,995 8/1956 Australia 52/585 Building Systems Corp., 354 Dawson Camarmo, Calif- Primary Examiner.lohn E. Murtagh 93010 22 Filed: Nov. 9, 1972 ABSTRACT A wall structure comprising a plurality of like, flat, [21] Appl' 304941 vertical panel-like sections in side by side relationship, said sections having interengaged rebated vertical [52] US. Cl 52/285, 52/241, 52/585 sides and horizontal top and bottom channeled edges, [51] Int. Cl E04b 1/48 elongate horizontal header and sole plates engaged in [58] Field of Search 52/585, 285, 264, 238, and continuing through said channeled edges and right 52/241, 592 angularly related pins engaged in and between the interengaged rebated side of adjacent sections on hori- [56] References Cited zontal axes normal and parallel with the vertical plane UNlTED STATES PATENTS 9f the Wall Structure- 2 1 14,387 4/1938 Killion 52/585 6 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures 4 r 1 2 A i: Y A 0 0 0 il x k 42 40 r 1 t. 4/ I f X Y x J n f m I I' I v v v 0 v x I 2 40 P I 1 MODULAR BUILDING SECTION This invention has to do with a novel modular, planar, building unit or section for the establishment of building structures such as dwelling houses, motels, stores and the like.

There is a great need and demand for low cost building structures. It has been determined by the prior art that this need can be satisfied by the establishment of like, flat, planar, prefabricated, building sections with appropriate means for joining and fixing the sections together. It has been further determined that given a structurally sound and durable basic section structure and sound and durable coupling means for securing such sections together and with related structural components or parts, the number of different floor plans and designs for buildings such as referred to above is practically infinite.

To the best of my knowledge and belief, in spite of the above, and in spite of concentrated efforts by the prior art, a suitable and practical modular building panel or section and/or effective coupling means for coupling such sections together has not been provided.

Those sections or panels provided by the prior art which have been found to be structurally sound have proven to be so costly to manufacture and/or assemble that any cost advantage over normal or conventional building structures and techniques is lost. Further, those coupling and connecting means provided by the prior art which are acceptable, effective and dependable to connect and join panels or sections together have been so costly, complicated, difficult and unsatisfactory to use that little or no saving in the cost of establishing a building can be experienced.

lt has been the common experience of the prior art that when modular building section structures and coupling means therefor are provided at a cost of production and use which is such that a saving in cost over the costs of conventional building construction can be realized, the sections and/or coupling means therefor are seriously deficient and wanting in one or more respects. As a result, to date, modular building section structures and/or coupling means therefor have met with varying limited commercial success and/or acceptance.

It has been determined that an ideal modular building section should include a metal frame, an interior skin of plywood paneling or the like to establish interior wall surfaces and an exterior skin of sheet metal to establish exterior wall surfaces. The interior of such section structures should be filled with a core of foam or fibrous insulating material and should include one or more internal wooden reinforcing members to reinforce the skins and to provide a stabilizing and supporting structure for engagement by adhesives, nails, screws and other classes of fastening means to facilitate connecting secondary structures, such as doors, windows, cabinets and the like in or with the walls of the buildings established by the sections.

The most effective coupling means provided by the prior art to connect adjacent sections together has included conventional fastening means, such as nails and- /or screw fastening means, in the form of wood screws or nuts and bolts engaged in and between adjacent sides of the adjacent related sections. Such fastener means have proven to be most effective due to the fact that the fasteners extend between and through adjacent portions of the related sections to establish through ties therebetween which maintain the sections in alignment and they can be applied to assure a relatively right, secure connection.

While the,above rather basic and fundamental forms of fastening means have proved to be superior to special and distinct forms of joining means including clips, cleats, hooks and other mechanical connecting means that have been proposed, they have been found less than wholly satisfactory since access to or obscuring the fasteners, when once applied, is costly, difficult or impossible and the time required to apply such fasteners and make up the connections is excessive.

The above noted types of fastening means fail to align the section s when the fasteners are applied and require that the sections be aligned properly before the fasteners can be engaged therewith. Such prealignment of sections is difficult, time consuming, costly and is often impossible if one of the sections is slightly, irregular, warped or distorted.

In those several forms of coupling means requiring cleats, clips, hooks and the like, the coupling means are costly and complicated to make and/or are fragile and easily damaged and rendered ineffective. Further, they are such that proper alignment is not effective; a secure connection or lock is not established and/or the effective tightening or snugging up of the connection is not made possible.

It is an object and feature of my invention to provide a section structure of the character referred to having a frame with opposite vertical side members which are interengageable with related vertical side members of adjacent related sections and having like horizontal side members dissimilar from the vertical side members and cooperating with related coupling parts to connect the said horizontal edges of the sections with related preformed elements and/or parts of the building structure.

An object and feature of my invention is to provide novel coupling means for securing the adjacent sides of related sections together in interengaged relationship and which includes pairs of right angularly related pins engaged in aligned openings in parts or portions of the related section members which pins serve to guide and align the sections relative to each other when the sections are moved into juxtaposition and which positively lock and secure the sections together in aligned, secure or locked position.

It is an object and feature of my invention to provide coupling means of the character referred to which is such that the pins can be easily, rapidly and conveniently manually arranged in and between their related sections and can be quickly driven tight and flush therein, to align and draw the sections together by striking the pins with a mallet, hammer or the like.

It is an object adjacent feature of my invention to provide a structure of the character referred to above wherein the horizontal members of the frames define outwardly opening channels and said coupling parts include elongate stringers with inner edges that are slidably received in the channels to extend longitudinally thereof and which are suitably connected with other building structures and with other sections at to the horizontal sides of the sections.

The basic section structure that I provide is such that it can be provided with door openings or window openings, as desired and so that in a building established with my new sections, appropriate sections with door and window openings can be included to provide desired windows and doors in the building.

It is an object and feature of my invention to provide a section structure which is strong and durable, yet light-weight, easy and economical to manufacture and coupling means which are inexpensive, strong, durable and which are easily and quickly made up, whereby a strong, durable and dependable building can be established quickly and more economically than is possibe with structures of the same class provided by the prior art.

The foregoing and other objects and features of my invention will be fully understood from the following detailed description ofa typical preferred form and embodiment of my invention, throughout which description reference is made to the accompanying drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a building section provided by the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged detailed sectional view taken substantially as indicated by line 2-2 in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged detailed sectional view taken as indicated by line 33 in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view ofa portion of the structure shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4, showing right angularly related building sections.

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 4 and 5 showing three related building sections.

FIG. 7 is a detailed sectional view showing the top or upper connecting means.

FIG. 8 is a detailed sectional view showing the bottom or lower mounting means.

The present invention has to do with special and novel components, parts and means adapted for the rapid and economical fabrication of building structures, such as dwelling houses, motels, warehouses and the like.

The components, parts and/or means provided includes flat, normally vertical, rectangular, modular building sections A with coupling means C for connecting the vertical edges of adjacent related sections together, mounting means M for securing and/or anchoring the bottom edges of panels to a related support structure and connecting means N for connecting the top edges of sections with related sectional structures and the like. The coupling means C includes rebated frame members at the vertical edges of the sections and pins P engageable with, through and between related rebated members. The mounting means and connecting means M and N include channel shaped frame members at the upper and lower edges of the sections and connecting members engageable in the channel members.

In carrying forward my invention, one, basic, prefabricated, modular section structure A can be or is provided and employed. The structure A is such that a plurality of such structure sections can be combined and related to each other as desired or as circumstances require to establish a desired building.

The basic section structure provided is such that it can be suitably modified to include window openings, door openings and openings or the like for accommodating electric service and/or plumbing elements, parts and fixtures without changing its basic nature and construction and so special sections with door and window openings, etc. can be provided for use in combination with other plane, sections to establish a building with all necessary and/or desired doors, windows and services.

Since size, shape and arrangement of door and window openings and the farming structure employed to define such openings and vary widely in practice and in no way affect the novelty of my invention, I will not burden this disclosure with further unnecessary detailed consideration thereof.

The basic section structure A that I provide is a flat, normally vertical, rectangular unit having flat inner and outer surfaces I and 0, horizontal top and bottom edges T and B and left and right vertical edges L and R.

The left and right edges L and R occur at the left and right hand sides of the section when viewing the section from the inner surface I.

The section structure is characterized by a pair of flat sheets or skins of suitable construction material, which sheets are coextensive with and establish the inner and outer surfaces I and O. In practice, the inner surface I is established by a unitary sheet or panel of plywood or the like and is preferably provided with a finished inwardly disposed surface. The outer surface 0 is established of or by a unitary sheet of metal, such as sheet aluminum. The sheet is preferably provided with a painted, coated or enameled and finished outer surface. I

In the drawing and in the following, the above noted sheets, establishing the surfaces I and 0 will be identified by the same reference characters as the surfaces they establish or define.

In practice, any suitable desired paper, metal or composition sheet or board stock could be used in place of the preferred plywood or aluminum sheeting when desired, or when circumstances require.

The horizontal top and bottom edges of the sheets I and 0 occur at and along the horizontal edges T and B of the section. The vertical left and right edges of the sheets I and O are parallel and are laterally offset from each other whereby the right edge of the outer sheet 0 is spaced laterally outwardly from the right edge of the sheet I, to occur at the right side edge R of the section and the left edge of the sheet I is spaced laterally outward of the right edge of the sheet 0 to occur at the left side edge L of the section. The right edge of the sheet I is spaced laterally inward from the right edge of the sheet 0 and the left edge of sheet 0 is spaced laterally inward from the left edge of sheet I.

For the purpose of this disclosure the inner surface and sheet I of the panel structure will sometimes be referred to as the near or front surface or or sheet and the outer surface or sheet will sometimes be referred to as the far or rear surface or sheet.

The inner and outer sheets and/or surfaces are spaced relative to each other on parallel planes and are secured in fixed relationship by a unitary metal frame F about the perimeter of the section and by a plurality of laterally spaced vertical, wooden members. In the case illustrated, I have shown the section A including a member 10 adjacent the left edge of the section, a member 11 adjacent the right edge thereof and a cen tral or intermediate member 12. The members 10, 11 and 12 are simple, standard 2 inch X 3 inch boards with flat front and rear surfaces establishing flat engagement with the opposing surfaces of the front and rear sheets and are bonded or fixed thereto by a suitable cement or adhesive and/or by means of suitable fasteners, such as screws or nails (not shown).

The edges T and B of the section A are finished by adjacent or related members of frame F and establish elements of the connecting and mounting means N and M. The elements or parts of the means N and M which occur at and define the top and bottom edges of the section are alike and each includes an elongate vertically outwardly opening, U-shaped channel member U of formed metal, such as extruded aluminum. Each formed metal frame member U has a flat horizontal base and flat vertical longitudinal flanges 16 with straight outer edges 17. The members U are horizontal rail-like portions of the frame F engaged between the sheets I and O with their bases 15 stopped against the adjacent ends of the members 10, 11 and 12, with the edges 17 of the flanges 16 adjacent and parallel with the adjacent edges of the sheets I and O and with the flat outside surfaces of the flanges 16 in flat, bearing engagement with the opposing inside surfaces of the sheets. The flanges 16 and sheets I and O are bonded and fixed together by a suitable cement or adhesive.

The members U extend longitudinally of their related top and bottom edges of the section and terminate adjacent the laterally outwardly disposed sides of the members 10 and 11.

In addition to the above and in the preferred carrying out of my invention, the channel-shaped frame members U are provided with one or more and preferably two, vertical, longitudinally extending and laterally spaced flange-like ribs 18 on their bases 15, between the flanges 16. The ribs 18 are less in vertical extent than the flanges and occur within the members U to define stop means to limit the engagement of a connecting or mounting part in the members and to cooperate with such parts to define longitudinal service ducts for power lines and the like, in a building established of my new sections.

The sheets I and O, the members 10, 11 and 12, and

the channel member U cooperate to define closed cells within the section structure which cells are filled and occupied by a core D of cellular or fibrous insulating material. The insulating material is preferably preformed or molded blocks of compactable foam plastic in tight, compressed engagement between the sheets and adjacent members and glued or bonded thereto.

The left edge L of my new section A includes and is finished by an elongate, formed metal, outside rebated coupling part or frame member 20 and the right edge R of my section A includes and is finished by a similar, inside rebated coupling part or frame member 30.

The outside, rebated frame member 20 at the left side of the section includes a central, flat, vertical web 21 with a rearwardly disposed surface on a common plane with the central vertical plane of the section A, a flat inside flange 27 projecting outwardly or rearwardly from the lateral inner edge of the wedge to the outer sheet 0 and in flat bearing engagement with the adjacent member 11. A flat outside flange 23 projects inwardly or forwardly from the lateral outside edge of the web 21 to the left edge of the inner sheet I and a laterally inwardly projecting support flange 24 on the flange 22, occurs in flat engagement with and is cemented or glued to the inner opposing surface of the sheet I, along the left vertical edge portion thereof.

The flange 22 is fixed to the reinforcing member 11 related thereto by a suitable cement or glue and can be further secured thereto by longitudinally spaced fasteners 25, as indicated in dotted lines in FIG. 3 of the drawings.

It will be apparent that the web 21 and rearwardly projecting flange 22 cooperate to define a laterally outwardly and rearwardly opening recess X at and along the rear half of the left edge L of the section and that the flange 23 defines the left edge L of the section which edge extends from the inner surface of sheet I to the central vertical plane of the section.

The web 21, flange 23 and the portion of the sheet I adjacent thereto define an elongate, vertical lip Y at the left edge of-the panel A.

The inside rebated frame member 30 at the right side of the section includes a central, flat, longitudinal, web 31 with a forwardly or inwardly disposed surface on a common plane with the central vertical plane of the section A. A flat inside flange 32 projects inwardly or forwardly from the lateral inner edge of the web to the inner sheet I and into flat bearing engagement with the adjacent reinforcing member 11. A flat outside flange 33 projects rearwardly from the lateral outside edge of the web 31 to the left edge of the outer sheet 0 and carries a flat, laterally inwardly projecting longitudinal support flange 34 which occurs in flat bearing engagement with and is cemented or glued, in fixed relation ship, with the inner opposing surface of the sheet I, along the right edge portion thereof. The flange 34 projects laterally outward from the adjacent member 11. The free edge of the support flange stops against its related reinforcing member 11.

The flange 32 is fixed to its related member 11 by a suitable cement or glue and can be further secured thereto by spaced fasteners 35.

It will be apparent that the web 31 and forwardly projecting flange 32 cooperates to define a laterally outwardly and forwardly opening recess X at and along the front half of the right edge R of the section and that the flange 33 defines the right edge R of the section, which edge extends from the inner surface of sheet 0 to the central vertical plane of the section A.

The web 30, flange 33 and the flange 34 and/or sheet 0 adjacent to the flange 34 define an elongate, lip Y at and along the right edge of the section.

The frame members 20 and 30 extend between the ends of the bases 15 of the frame members U at the edges T and B of the Section A.

The ends of the inner flanges 22 and 32 converge or join their related ends of the bases 15 of the frame members U and are fixed thereto by welding whereby the members U, 20 and 30 establish the integrated or unitary metal frame F about the exterior or perimeter of the section A.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that all of the adjacent structural elements and/or parts of the section A are secured and fixed together throughout their entire extent and each lends and affords support and stability to the other; accordingly, the section A is a strong, rigid, lightweight and sound unitary structure. All loads applied on and through the Section A are distributed uniformly throughout the entire unitized and integrated structure and the section is therefore capable of supporting great loads without the possibility of distortion and/or failure.

In addition to the foregoing, the rebated coupling frame members 20 and 30 at the left and right sides or edges of the section A, which members are elements or parts of the coupling means C, are provided with a plurality of vertically spaced aperture 40, 41 and 42 in their flanges 22, webs 21 and flanges 23. The apertures 40, 41 and 42 are preferably arranged vertically in groups longitudinally of the edges L and R, there being an upper or top group, a lower or bottom group and one or more intermediate or central groups. Each group of apertures includes one of each of the noted apertures 40, 41 and 42 and each of said aperture in each group occurs in a horizontal plane vertically offset from the horizontal plane on which each of the other apertures of that group of apertures occurs. The aper tures 40 occur in the flanges 22 and 32, on the central vertical axes thereof, in predetermined vertical placement and with their axes on planes parallel with the plane of the section whereby they open laterally out wardly. The apertures 40 are extended inwardly through the member adjacent thereto.

The apertures 42 are similar to the apertures 40 but are arranged or established in the flanges 23 and 33. The apertures 41 occur in the webs 21 and 31 of the frame members 20 and 30, on the central vertical axes thereof and are on axes normal to the plane of the section whereby they open toward the recesses X and X defined by said members.

Apertures 41 in the support flanges 24 and 34, are in axial alignment with the apertures 41. The apertures 41 in the member 30 at the right side of the section register with apertures 41" in the skin and the apertures 41 in the member 20 are normally closed by the adjacent inner or front skin I and in which an access apertures can be easily established if circumstances require and as shown in FIG. 6 of the drawings.

For the purposes of this disclosure, the aligned apertures 41 and 41' and 41 will hereinafter be considered as one and will be referred to as the apertures 41.

Finally, the frame members 20 and 30 are provided with land-ribs 45 projecting laterally outwardly and extending longitudinally of the free edges of the flanges 22 and 32, which ribs establish a support land or surface to engage and adjacent flange 23 or 33 of a related section 20 or 30 and to maintain such related flanges space a predetermined distance apart and to thereby define spaces between adjacent related sections in which a suitable sealing compound can be deposited, as shown at Z in FIGS. 4, and 6 of the drawings.

In addition to the apertures in members 20 and 30, the coupling means C includes a plurality of coupling dowels or pins P, referred to above. The pins P are preferably metal pins corresponding in diameter with the diameter of the several apertures whereby a snug, press fit is established, therebetween. Further, the pins P are preferably provided with tapered lead ends to facilitate their entry into related apertures. Pins P of varying length are preferably provided, substantially as illustrated.

It is to be noted that the reinforcing members 10 and j 11 and webs 21-31, flanges 23-33 and 24-34 cooperate to define vertical service ducts extending longitudinally of each side, (left and right) of the section A, which ducts have open upper and lower ends at or adjacent to the ends of the service ducts which are defined by the frame members U at and along the upper and lower edges of the section structure.

When in use, when two or more sections A are arranged in side by side relationship to establish a wall, an elongate horizontal sole plate 50, equal in lateral extent with the inside lateral extent of the channel-shaped frame members U at the bottom of the panels and slightly greater in vertical extent than the vertical extent between the bottom edges 17 of the flanges 16 and ribs 18 of the member U, is suitably arranged and secured or fixed on the site for the wall. In practice, and as shown in FIG. 8 of the drawings, the sole plate 50 is a timer secured to a concrete foundation and/or slab 51 by means of studs 52 fixed in the foundation to project upwardly therefrom and through the plate. The plate is fixed in place bymeans of nuts 53 advanced on the studs and into tight engagement with the plate substantially, as illustrated.

The sole plate 50 is an element of the mounting means M and is coextensive with the wallwhereby it extends between and establishes an integral tie between the several sections establishing the wall.

With the plate 50 thus provided, a first panel A is engaged on the plate in predetermined position, with the lower channel member U thereof engaged about the plate, with the edges of the ribs 18 thereof stopped above the surface of the plate and cooperating therewith to define the lower, horizontal service ducts referred to above.

Next, the pins P related to the apertures 40 and/or 42 at the left and/or right sides of the first section A are arranged and driven into the apertures to project laterally outwardly from their related sides of that section. These pins extend parallel with the planes of and between the sections and can be termed coupling and/or alignment pins.

In practice, the coupling pins P related to the apertures 40 and 42 can be engaged in the sections before they are arranged on the plate 50, as desired or as circumstances require.

With the first section arranged as set forth above, a

second, next or adjacent section A is engaged on the plate and is shifted laterally toward the first panel whereby the coupling pins P at and along the adjacent opposing edges of the two sections enter the aligned opposing apertures in said sections. As the pins carried by one section enter the apertures in the other section related thereto the coupling pins serve to urge the sections into alignment on common, vertical, longitudinal and lateral planes.

The sections thus related are urged toward each other so that the lips Y and Y enter and substantially seat in the recess X x X and the apertures 41 in the related right and left edges R and L are in substantial alignment.

It will be apparent that the longitudinal coupling pins positively hold the related rebated edges of the sections engaged and prevent movement or displacement of the sections in a direction normal to their vertical longitudinal and lateral planes.

with the two sections thus related, the other pins P, that is, the pins which are normal to the plane of the panels and which can be referred to as tie pins are entered and driven into engagement in and through the adjacent aligned apertures 41 whereby the sections are urged in tight side by side engagement, with the related lips and recesses defined by the rebated frame members 20 and 30 of the section frames held secure against relative movement on any plane parallel with the plane of the sections or the wall established thereby.

In practice, before each section is related to another in the manner set forth above, the sealing compound Z is deposited in the recess X or X of at least one of the sections before they are moved laterally into engagement with each other.

In practice, the normal tie pins P can be suitably arranged in both the apertures 40 and 42 at one vertical side of one section or the number of such pins used can be reduced by engaging them in, for example, the apertures 40 only, at said one side of the said one section. In FIG. 4 of the drawings I have shown a single normal tie pin P, such as would occur if such pins were only engaged in the apertures 40 in the left sides L of the sections and were omitted from those apertures in the right sides R of the sections.

It is to be noted that the normal tie pins P are easily and conveniently entered into the apertures 41 from the outer surface of the sections, but can be entered therein from the inner surface I thereof by providing access to said apertures through the inner sheets I.

With the rebated and pinned coupling means C illustrated and described above, it will be apparent that a rugged, durable, strong and effective connection can be easily and quickly established between the opposing ends of adjacent aligned sections A. Other sections A used to make up a wall, roof or floor structure are related one to the other in the same manner as set forth above.

When the sections establishing a wall are assembled set forth above, an elongate header plate 60 is arranged and set in the upper channel sections or members of the several sections to extend longitudinally thereof and therebetween to integrally join and tie the tops of the sections together and to establish and provide a structural member on and with which other parts and portions of the building, supported by the walls, can be engaged and secured.

The header plate, like the sole plate 50, is preferably a timer slidably engaged between the flanges 16 of the upper frame members U of the sections A with its flat bottom surface stopped on the edges of the ribs 18 in the members U so as to define the utility of service ducts along the top or upper edges of the sections and walls.

The upper edges or top sides of the header plates and/or the vertical extent of those plates can be formed and varied ad desired and as circumstances require. Referring to FIG. 7 of the drawings, I have shown a header plate of considerable vertical extent and have, in dotted lines, indicated how that plate might be milled or formed to provide a support and connecting member for pitched roof structures or reduced in vertical extent for a support and connecting member for a flat, low, ceiling structure.

In practice, and to prevent vertical displacement of the plates 50 and 60, nail or screw fasteners can be engaged through the sections and into said plates as shown in phantom lines in FIGS. 7 and 8 of the drawings.

In carrying my invention further, and referring to FIG. of the drawings, apertutes 40, 41 and 42 are so arranged and/or positioned that when the left side of one section, A is right angularly related to a second section A and the lip portion Y or said one section A .is engaged and seated in the recess X at the right side of said second section A, the apertures 41 in the left side of the one section A registerwith the apertures 40 in the second section A and the apertures 41 in said second section A register with the apertures 42 in said one section A. With such a relationship of parts, adjacent right angularly related section A and A establishing corners at the ends of right angularly related walls can be easily, quickly and effectively joined and connected together by simply engaging and urging tie pins P into tight engagement in and through the noted registering apertures.

In carrying my invention still further and referring to FIG. 6 of the drawings, the end section A of one wall can be effectively joined into and with a second right angularly related wall, intermediate the ends of said second wall, between two adjacent sections A and A of said second wall by arranging the lip Y of the left edge L of the end section A in the adjacent right hand or inner recess X presented by adjacent sections A of the second wall and arranging the lip Y of the section A of the second wall in the recess X of said end section A of said one wall.

When the edges of three sections are thus arranged, that is, with two on a common plane and the other on a plane normal to said common plane, the apertures 41 in the section A" register with the apertures 40 and 42 in sections A and A and the apertures 40 and 42 in section A register with the apertures 41 in sections A and A.

The sections A", A and A are secured together by elongated coupling pins P extending into and between the sections A and A and through the apertures 40, 41 and 42 of section A. The tie pins P are engaged in and through the registering apertures 41 and 42 of sections A and A and in and through the registering apertures 40 and 41 of sections A and A It is to be understood and is believed to be obvious that the elongated coupling pins P must be engaged in and with the section A and one of the sections A or A before the other of said sections A or A is moved into position with the related sections. The tie pins P are accessible from the exterior of the walls and can be driven into position as desired or as circumstances require.

The relationship of sections A, A and A set forth above, results in a structure where a vertical recess is established between the sections A and A at and between the opposing side edges of their outer surfaces. In practice, the lip of another end section ofa wall, normal to the outer side of the wall of sections A and A, can be engaged in that recess and pinned in position by extension of the pins P as indicated in phantom lines at A".

It is to be noted that since the wall thickness of the inner and outer sheets I and O of my modular sections are dissimilar and the outside or exposed surfaces of the webs 31 of the sections at the right and left sides of the section or frame thereof must occur on the central vertical plane of the section, the frame members 20 and 30 are not alike, but differ dimensionally to compensate for the differences in thickness of the sheets I and 0. Additionally, it is to be noted that the crosssectional dimensions of the lips Y and Y are alike and the same as the effective cross-sectional dimensions of the recess X and X whereby the desired mating and cooperative fitting together of related sections can be effectively achieved.

While I have restricted this disclosure to the establishment of vertical walls for a building structure, the

sections A here provided with their interrelated cou-' pling, mounting and connecting means are equally suitable and adaptable for the establishment of the roofs, ceilings and floors of the buildings to be established by the provision and use of my new building section structure.

In practice, it has been determined that it is economically advantageous and that it is sufficient to provide only two standard sizes of sections to most effectively put my invention into practice. By providing my sections in 8 X 8 and 8 X 10 sizes, with certain of the 8f X 8 sections provided with desired windowor door openings and with certain of the 8 X 10 sections provided with desired window or door openings, over F0 percent of the materials, time and costs for establishing a dwelling structure or the like is provided and expended by the simple and rapid assembling of my new sections.

Throughout the drawings, I have, in phantom lines, shown service lines, in the form of electrical and fluid conductors engaged in certain of those service ducts established in and about the perimeter of my new section and to clearly illustrate the fact that provision for such service is effectively and adequately provided for. Access to the service provided in the sections and the wall structures established thereof can be easily and conveniently effected or established by minor and easy to make alterations in the sections, utilizing any one or more of a great number of ways and means known and commonly practiced in the building trade to effect access for service.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that l have invented a novel modular building section with improved and simplified coupling, mounting and connecting means and a section structure which is such that it can be easily and economically mass-produced. My structure is such that by or through its provision and use, a building can be easily, quickly and economically fabricated or produced.

Having described one preferred form and certain applications of my invention, I do not wish to be limited to the specific details herein set forth but wish to reserve to myself any modifications and/or variations which appear to those skilled in the art and which fall within the scope of the following claims:

Having described my invention, 1 claim:

1. A building wall structure comprising a plurality of flat, rectangular modular sections with horizontal top and bottom edges and vertical left and right edges, each section having a metal frame about its perimeter and forwardly and rearwardly disposed substantially rigid inner and outer sheets in spaced parallel planes and overlying and fixed to forward and rearwardly disposed inner and outer sides of the frame, said frame having horizontal, upwardly and downwardly opening, U- shaped top and bottom channel members and vertical left and right rebated members, said rebated members having laterally outwardly projecting lips with right angularly related surfaces occurring at one side of the central vertical plane of the section and recesses with right angularly related surfaces opening laterally outwardly and normal to the plane of the section and at the other side of the central plane of the section, the lips and recesses being the same in cross-section, the recess at one side of the section opening forwardly and the recess at the other side of the section opening rearwardly, said rebated members having vertically spaced apertures entering their laterally outwardly disposed surfaces and the forwardly and rearwardly disposed surfaces of the forwardly and rearwardly opening recesses, the lips at the sides of each section are engaged in the recesses at the sides of the sections adjacent thereto, with apertures in the opposing surfaces of the related lips and recess in register, elongate horizontal coupling pins arranged around through and between registering openings in the adjacent related surfaces of engaged lips and recesses whereby coupling pins occur on axes parallel with and normal to the planes of the sections, an elongate horizontal sole plate engaged in and extending longitudinally of the bottom channel members and an elongate horizontal head plate engaged in and extending longitudinally of the top channel members.

2. A structure as set forth in claim 1 wherein the coupling pins on axes parallel with the planes of the sections are arranged in related apertures in one of their related sections to be carried thereby and are entered into related apertures in the other of their related sections when the sections are engaged with each other.

3. A structure as set forth in claim 1 wherein the apertures entering the forwardly disposed surfaces of the recesss open rearwardly at the outer sheet of their related sections and the pins on axes normal to the planes of the sections are entered in the forward ends of said apertures.

4. A structure as set forth in claim 2 wherein the apertutes entering the forwardly disposed surfaces of the recesses open rearwardly at the outer sheet of their related sections and the pins on axes normal to the planes of the sections are entered in the forward ends of the said apertures.

5. A structure as set forth in claim 1 wherein the wall has right angularly related portions with right angularly related corner sections, the lip of one corner section is arranged in the recess of the other corner section with wardly disposed surface of said one corner section de-,

fining the outer surface of the lip thereof and apertures in the laterally outwardly disposed surface of the recess in said other section register with apertures opening at the rearwardly disposed surface of the recess of said one corner section and coupling pins engaged in and through the registering openings in said corner sections.

6. A structure as set forth in claim 5 wherein the wall section of which said other corner section is a part is extended longitudinally forwardly relative to said one corner section and includes a third section on a common plane with said other corner section, the lip of the third section occurring at the inner side of the section is engaged in the rearwardly opening recess of said one section with apertures in the laterally outwardly disposed surface of the lip of said third section registered with apertures in the opposing surface of said recess in the one section and receiving portions of coupling pins in the apertures in said opposing surface, apertures entering the laterally outwardly disposed surface of the recess of said one section register with apertures entering the rearwardly disposed surface of the recess of the third section and coupling pins engaged in and between the registering apertures of the recesses of said one and third sections.

- It It 

1. A building wall structure comprising a plurality of flat, rectangular modular sections with horizontal top and bottom edges and vertical left and right edges, each section having a metal frame about its perimeter and forwardly and rearwardly disposed substantially rigid inner and outer sheets in spaced parallel planes and overlying and fixed to forward and rearwardly disposed inner and outer sides of the frame, said frame having horizontal, upwardly and downwardly opening, U-shaped top and bottom channel members and vertical left and right rebated members, said rebated members having laterally outwardly projecting lips with right angularly related surfaces occurring at one side of the central vertical plane of the section and recesses with right angularly related surfaces opening laterally outwardly and normal to the plane of the section and at the other side of the central plane of the section, the lips and recesses being the same in crosssection, the recess at one side of the section opening forwardly and the recess at the other side of the section opening rearwardly, said rebated members having vertically spaced apertures entering their laterally outwardly disposed surfaces and the forwardly and rearwardly disposed surfaces of the forwardly and rearwardly opening recesses, the lips at the sides of each section are engaged in the recesses at the sides of the sections adjacent thereto, with apertures in the opposing surfaces of the related lips and recess in register, elongate horizontal coupling pins arranged around through and between registering openings in the adjacent related surfaces of engaged lips and recesses whereby coupling pins occur on axes parallel with and normal to the planes of the sections, an elongate horizontal sole plaTe engaged in and extending longitudinally of the bottom channel members and an elongate horizontal head plate engaged in and extending longitudinally of the top channel members.
 2. A structure as set forth in claim 1 wherein the coupling pins on axes parallel with the planes of the sections are arranged in related apertures in one of their related sections to be carried thereby and are entered into related apertures in the other of their related sections when the sections are engaged with each other.
 3. A structure as set forth in claim 1 wherein the apertures entering the forwardly disposed surfaces of the recesss open rearwardly at the outer sheet of their related sections and the pins on axes normal to the planes of the sections are entered in the forward ends of said apertures.
 4. A structure as set forth in claim 2 wherein the apertutes entering the forwardly disposed surfaces of the recesses open rearwardly at the outer sheet of their related sections and the pins on axes normal to the planes of the sections are entered in the forward ends of the said apertures.
 5. A structure as set forth in claim 1 wherein the wall has right angularly related portions with right angularly related corner sections, the lip of one corner section is arranged in the recess of the other corner section with the rearwardly disposed surface of the adjacent recess of said one corner section disposed laterally outwardly relative to the other corner section, apertures in the forwardly disposed surface of the recess in the said other corner section register with the laterally outwardly disposed surface of said one corner section defining the outer surface of the lip thereof and apertures in the laterally outwardly disposed surface of the recess in said other section register with apertures opening at the rearwardly disposed surface of the recess of said one corner section and coupling pins engaged in and through the registering openings in said corner sections.
 6. A structure as set forth in claim 5 wherein the wall section of which said other corner section is a part is extended longitudinally forwardly relative to said one corner section and includes a third section on a common plane with said other corner section, the lip of the third section occurring at the inner side of the section is engaged in the rearwardly opening recess of said one section with apertures in the laterally outwardly disposed surface of the lip of said third section registered with apertures in the opposing surface of said recess in the one section and receiving portions of coupling pins in the apertures in said opposing surface, apertures entering the laterally outwardly disposed surface of the recess of said one section register with apertures entering the rearwardly disposed surface of the recess of the third section and coupling pins engaged in and between the registering apertures of the recesses of said one and third sections. 